Appropriates $44,815,300 to the Department of Agriculture for fiscal year 2019; limits the number of authorized full-time equivalent positions to 217.00; and provides legislative intent regarding the Watercraft Inspection Program.

This is the FY 2019 original appropriation bill for the Department of Agriculture. It appropriates $44,815,300 and caps the number of authorized full-time equivalent positions at 217.00. For benefit costs, the bill removes $1,450 per eligible FTP to bring the annual employer contribution for health insurance down to $11,650 by including a two-month employee and employer premium holiday, adds a 6.8% increase for life insurance, and adjusts funding for workers' compensation in amounts that vary by agency. Funding for replacement items includes $1,022,900 for 19 vehicles, lab equipment and computer equipment. For statewide cost allocation, $44,000 is provided, as Attorney General fees will increaseby$51,900,feesforLegislativeAuditswillincreaseby$4,800,riskmanagementcostswilldecrease by $17,300, State Controller fees will increase by $4,900, and State Treasurer fees will decrease by $300. The bill also provides funding for a 3% ongoing merit-based salary increase for permanent employees, to be distributed at the discretion of the agency director. The bill funds five line items, which provide 1.00 FTP and $94,800 to hire a lab quality assurance manager; 2.00 FTP and $260,600 to hire two dairy inspectors; $26,000 in the Marketing Program to hire temporary staff to promote local food; 3.00 federally funded FTP to hire two inspectors and an administrative assistant as a result of the Food Safety Modernization Act; and $500,000 to build additional office space at the Idaho Food Quality Assurance Laboratory. Overall, this is a 0.3% decrease over the FY 2018 appropriation.